The Adventures of Cyclops and Phoenix #2 (of 4)
Tenure
June 1st, 1994
Five years after being pulled into the future, Scott and Jean adopt new names, now going by Slym and Redd Dayspring. But when a mysterious stranger overhears the couple speaking an “olde English” tongue, will their past collide with their present?
Cyclops and Jean Grey have been in the future for five years. Their identities are hidden by the monikers "Slym" and "Redd." They travel to Crestcoast with a young Nathan Christopher in hopes of finding a place to hide from Apocalypse until Nathan is older. Opposition comes, however, when the family tries to enter the city. Some ruffian mutants play with the idea of turning the "Daysprings" in to Apocalypse, but they are saved by a mysterious cyborg named Turrin.
Note: This issue refers to a location as both "Coastcrest" and "Crestcoast".
Synopsis
The Daysprings (Cyclops as "Slym", Jean Grey as "Redd", and Nathan) make their journey to Crestcoast for a legally-required genetic scan. Cyclops falters from a bum knee, which allows another traveller to catch up and ask if the group is speaking "Olde Englishe", which is forbidden. The Daysprings deny it, but fear that the man could become a problem.
In Apocalypse's stronghold, Prelate Paladin Ch'Vayre looks upon partiers with distaste and rues his inability to find the last survivors of the Askani sect (Cyclops and Jean). An explosion from Apocalypse's chambers interrupts Ch'Vayre's thoughts and he rushes to investigate. Ch'Vayre finds the boy Stryfe has incinerated his instructor and tries to lecture the boy on rights to live, but is interrupted by Apocalypse himself. When Stryfe is sent away, Ch'Vayre expresses doubt as to Apocalypse's choice to speed up Stryfe's mutant powers. But, Apocalypse believing that Stryfe is the actual son of Cyclops and a survivor of the techno-organic virus, Apocalypse must strengthen Stryfe so the boy can become the new vessel of Apocalypse's soul.
Outside Crestcoast, Jean holds Nathan's hand in order to sync with him and hide the metallic "scars" on his body. The Daysprings approach the guard and are immediately accosted. That traveller has reported their use of Old Englishe, which means that the Daysprings are accused of trying to hide something from the Apocalypse's spies and guards. Things turn south when the guards threaten to take the Dayspring's to Ch'Vayre, so Nathan attacks a guard, which breaks his link with Jean and exposes his deformities. A fight nearly breaks loose when Prior Turrin, a very influential citizen of Crestcoast, intervenes and takes Nathan with him. The guard stands down immediately, despite being "genetic superiors".
Inside the city, Turrin explains that he believes that there is some way to rid the world of darkness and helping the Daysprings may be the beginning of such.